AJ Coronel played the hero's role in delivering Perpetual to a huge win on Mapua's home court. Jaime Campos

WINLESS after two games, AJ Coronel was pressed with a challenge of towing Perpetual Help to an all important victory in hostile territory.

The third year forward took the challenge by heart.

Coronel delivered the key baskets at clutch time to tow the Altas to a pulsating 63-60 win over host squad Mapua Cardinals in the NCAA Season 93 on Thursday in Intramuros.

Frustrated after seeing the Altas’ first win overturned and then bombed out by Jose Rizal University in their next game, Coronel knew the team had to make a statement, and what better way to get the breakthrough victory than play right at Mapua’s homecourt.

Despite his heroics, Coronel played down his big shots, saying he owed those clutch plays to their fluid ball movement and execution down the stretch.

For his last three-pointer of the game with 1:22 left, the ball moved from side to side, allowing Keith Pido to slice inside before finding Coronel on the corner for the trey that gave the Altas a 60-56 lead.